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Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Welcome, Cynthia. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I usually pick a person to style my characters after, but I
do tend to describe my own feelings, especially in the main character.

What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?

Ventriloquism. As a high school girl, I presented a lot to
groups of younger kids.

When did you first
discover that you were a writer?

I’ve always been a wordy person, but I didn’t discover I
could write. I chose to work at learning the craft, which was a lot of work.
When I started, I told real stories because I wasn’t even sure what made up a
story.

Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love mysteries and suspense. I read them to relax and shut
out the world. However, I also enjoy a nicely layered story like Cynthia
Ruchti’s novels. Apologetics is also one of my favorite things to read.

Cynthia’s first novel
really grabbed me, and I’ve read the rest as well. One of my favorite authors. How
do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Quiet time with the Lord works best. I turn off all
technology and just pray.

How do you choose
your characters’ names?

In Pursuing Gold, I wanted
old-fashioned Southern names, so I chose those that would fit the time. A few
people in the story actually lived, so I didn’t have to choose names.

What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I’m truly proud of the research behind my first novel, Pursuing
Gold.

If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?

I would be a cat. I love being comfortable, and I can relate
to a cat fluffing their pillows and blankets.

What is your favorite
food?

Ice Cream. I could eat it in freezing weather.

Since losing weight,
I don’t eat it as often, but I could eat ice cream in any weather. What is the
problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome
it?

I tend to be so focused on the story that I don’t describe
much. Editors would ask me about where the scene took place. I started visualizing
before writing so I could describe.

Tell us about the
featured book.

Peter and Mary Beth must keep their Confederate bank alive
in the Civil War. They must discover who forged Peter’s signature to
counterfeit money before it causes the bank to fail.

Please give us the
first page of the book.

April 12, 1862

Chattanooga, Tennessee

What a dilemma! Peter Chandler glared at Mr. Shaw, the burly
Confederate bureaucrat lecturing him. Shaw could easily snap someone’s neck,
and in his role, the man posed a real danger. After Peter had seen the
Confederate government sell Negroes like cattle, he had to turn them down. “I’m
sorry. C and R Bank will not loan money to the Confederacy.”

Lifting one massive eyebrow reflecting his opinion of
Peter’s idiocy, he slapped a sheaf of letters on the desk, and growled, “These
refusals you sent me place you in danger. We want to know where your loyalties
lie. When the war is over, you will be glad you sided with us.”

Peter had to think fast. “We are a small bank fully invested
in the community, so we cannot shoulder the risk of another loan.”

The man’s dark eyes flared. “You are far too hasty. I might
have to speak to my Nashville
friends about your bank charter.”

“Nashville?
The Union holds the city now. You won’t get
anywhere talking to them.”

“My friends still have the reins of power. Let me enlighten
you—”

Peter tuned out the rest of the speech. If Shaw knew the
right people, he could attempt to get the bank charter revoked. If he succeeded,
Peter would lose the bank.

How can readers find
you on the Internet?

If you use my middle initial, I’m easy
to find. Cynthia L Simmons. I’m named after my father, C.L. Thomas.

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